Director of Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships

Illinois State University; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement options

Tuition waiver for staff

Paid holidays

Paid benefit time

Job summary

Illinois State University’s College of Education seeks a Director for Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships. This senior role partners with the Dean and lab school principals to connect the labs to academic, research, and community priorities.

You will lead curriculum development, research partnerships, policy work, and external relations across the Thomas Metcalf and University High School labs, advancing quality, sustainability, and university integration.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in public education with teaching and leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership in innovation and community partnerships.
• Experience leading curriculum, teaching, and learning within an educational organization.
• Ability to build consensus among multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong understanding of policy interpretation and organizational decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead lab school strategy and college/university integration.
• Drive curriculum development, innovation and improvement.
• Foster leadership and clear communication across partners.
• Develop research partnerships and external relations.
• Engage families, community and external partners.
• Develop policy and organizational development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership development

Policy interpretation

Curriculum leadership

Communications

Education

Master’s degree in education or related field

Tools

Grants management

Research partnerships

Job description

Title: Director of Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships
Department: Dean of Education
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Director for Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships provides college-level leadership to advance the mission, quality, and innovation, and university integration of Illinois State University’s Laboratory Schools. The position serves as a strategic partner to the Dean and lab school principals, connecting the lab schools to the College of Education’s academic, research, professional, and community-engagement priorities.

The Director leads initiatives that span the lab schools, including curriculum and program development, research partnerships, policy development, innovation, professional learning, family and community engagement, and external relations. The position strengthens connections among the lab schools, the College of Education, the University, and external partners while supporting continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.

Primary areas of responsibility will include:

• Lab School strategy and college/university integration
• Curriculum, innovation and continuous improvement
• Leadership and communication
• Research and scholarship
• Family, community, and external engagement
• Policy and organizational development
• Leadership and communication

Additional Information

The College of Education at Illinois State University is the root of the University’s legacy. The College has been preparing excellent teachers and education leaders ever since its founding in 1857. Illinois State University is the largest preparer of teachers in the United States (Title II, 2025). With almost 1000 teachers and 187 education leaders who graduate each year, the College of Education is a premier place for educator preparation. The University is ranked among the Top 100 Best Graduate Education Schools in US News & World Report (2026). The College houses three academic units, including the School of Teaching and Learning, Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, and the Department of Special Education. The College also is home to two laboratory schools, Thomas Metcalf (PK-8) and University High School (9-12). The laboratory schools engage in broad partnerships across 27 educational programs within the College and University.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$100,000 - $115,000

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Required Qualifications

• 1. Master’s degree in education or related field
• 2. 5 years or more experience in public education including teaching and progressive leadership
• 3. Demonstrated leadership in innovation and community partnerships
• 4. Demonstrated leadership in leading curriculum, teaching, and learning within an educational organization
• 5. Evidence of leading and building consensus around multiple stakeholder groups
• 6. Strong understanding of and ability to interpret and develop policy, facilitate organizational decision-making, and communicate implications across stakeholder groups

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Doctoral degree in education or related field
• 2. Experience with seeking and managing grants and external funding
• 3. Experience as a senior district- or state-level leader in education
• 4. Experience leading school and university partnerships

Work Hours

Generally Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Evening and weekend hours may be required, as business needs dictate.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Remain at a workstation for extended periods
• Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
• Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

1/1/2027

Required Applicant Documents

Resume/C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least three professional references)

Special Information for Applicants

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Bryan Zugelder
[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].